Doc talks -- some draft night notes

Dan Duggan Thursday, June 24, 2010

Doc Rivers met with the media a few minutes after the Celtics selected Avery Bradley with the 19th pick in tonight's draft.

While there was some interest in Rivers' thoughts on Bradley, naturally most of the focus was on the coach's uncertain future. Echoing the stance he's maintained since the end of the regular season, Rivers said he is undecided about returning next season.

“I don’t know yet. If I’m coaching, I’ll be coaching (Bradley)," Rivers said. "I can tell you that. But I just don’t know yet. This will be a good weekend for me to get home and we’re going to make a decision very soon – very soon.”

Though he didn't lay out a definitive timetable, it seems safe to expect Rivers to make his decision known by early next week.

As for Bradley, Rivers said he was one of two players the Celtics had targeted with the 19th pick. They feared Bradley would be off the board when they picked and couldn't pass on him when he was available.

"I love his speed. I can tell you that – he has unbelievable speed," Rivers said. "He has a good in between game. He can make the spot-up jump shots. He’s an NBA defender right now. He can play point guard defense on anybody in the league and that’s huge for us. But he has to learn the position, he has to learn how to be a point guard, so with (Rajon) Rondo in front of him he’ll be a good teacher.”

Rivers didn't reveal the other player the C's had their eye on because he hadn't yet been drafted yet. Rivers alluded to off-court issues hurting that player's stock.

Rivers also provided an update on Kendrick Perkins. The injured center was set to have surgery on his right knee tomorrow, but that has been postponed to allow the swelling to subside. No timetable for Perkins' return can be established until after the surgery.

There are multiple reports that Rasheed Wallace is retiring and Rivers said that is what he expected to happen.